2012 Summer Session I: May 21 - June 8 Course Descriptions and Information

Course Title: Marine Biology

Course Number: MS-241 Credits: 3 semester hours

Course Description: A study of plant, protist, and animal life in the marine environment. Emphasis will be on physical and chemical factors affecting the biota in the intertidal, open water, and benthic habitats. Common biota characteristic of each habitat will be investigated in terms of their natural history, morphology, and ecological relationships.

 
Prerequisites: 1 semester of college biology

Instructor: Dr. Simon Beeching, Slippery Rock University

Course Title: Coral Reef Ecology
Course Number: BIOM 472 (MS 491) Credits: 3 semester hours

Course Description: A study of coral reef structure, formation, types, and the relationships of reef organisms to their environment. Emphasis is given to species diversity, identification, symbioses, and effects of temperature, salinity, light, nutrient concentration, predation, and competition on the abundance and the distribution of coral reef organisms.

Prerequisites: One year of biology and SCUBA certification.

Notes: First week at MSC campus. Second and third week at field station in Roatan, Honduras. Additional fees of about $3500 required for travel and expenses for trip to Honduras.

Faculty Contact: Dr. Jay Hunt, East Stroudsburg University

Course Title: Marine Invertebrates
Course Number: BIO/MAR 260 Credits: 3 semester hours

Course Description: An introduction to the diversity of marine invertebrate taxa and the behavioral, morphological and physiological adaptations which allow them to successfully exploit a wide variety of marine habitats. Major trends in invertebrate evolution will be used to illustrate the interaction of form and function in the evolutionary process. Students will be expected to have been introduced to the major taxa of animals in a prior introductory zoology course. Students will gain laboratory and field experience in collection, preservation and classification of the phyla.
View Syllabus Insert link here if provided by faculty

Prerequisites: One year of introductory biology, including general zoology.

Faculty Contact: Dr. Nancy Butler, Kutztown University

Course Title: Introduction to Geographic Imaging Systems (GIS)
Course Number: GEOG 341 Credits: 3 semester hours

Course Description: This course will provide a general introduction of geographic information systems (GIS) that helps study the spatial phenomena in computer systems. The goal of this course is to help students understand basic concepts, theories and techniques of Geographic Information Science, and GIS operations with state-of-the-art software and hardware. The students will also learn the basic skills on data collection with GPS unit in field investigation. After successfully completing this course, students are expected to be familiar with basic GIS principles and techniques, fluent in using a cutting-edge GIS software (ESRI ArcGIS Desktop Version 9 or 10), capable of organizing geographic data and conducting GIS analysis for basic real world applications (i.e. in Marine Science field).

Prerequisites: Any college–level Intro Geography, Geology, Geoscience or Oceanography class.

Notes: First two weeks (5/21-6/1) will be online-teaching through D2L and the third week (6/4-6/8) will be a field trip to the MSC campus in Virginia. Fees for room and board at the MSC will apply. Students need to have their own laptops and flash drives.

Faculty Contact: Dr.Shixiong Hu, East Stroudsburg University

 Course Title: PaintingSeascapes: Oceans, Bays and Marshes
Course Number: Art 310 Credits: 3 semester hours

Course Description: This course is an intensive painting, drawing and illustrating experience on location at the Marine Science Consortium at Wallops Island, Virginia. Students will paint, draw and illustrate at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Chincoteague Island, Wallops Island, and at the Marine Science Consortium. Students will learn how to compose seascape drawings and watercolor paintings incorporating different cloud formations, flora and fauna of the area and water movements of the sea, surf and marshes. They will also learn how to combine watercolor painting with drawing techniques to create illustrations of local flora and fauna. Themes running through the students artwork will focus on topics linking art to wildlife and environment conservation efforts.

Prerequisites: Art 151 and Art 254. Students should be familiar with color mixing, value, design and draftsmanship.

Faculty Contact: David Mazure and Darlene Farris-Labar, East Stroudsburg University

Course Title: Precalculus
Course Number: MAT 175 Credits: 3 semester hours

Course Description: Precalculus is designed to provide intense study of the topics which are fundamental to the study of calculus while simultaneously giving students the opportunity to experience how mathematics can be used to understand real world phenomena. Emphasis is placed on functions and their graphs with special attention to polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions, as well as analytic trigonometry. Upon completion, students will be able to solve practical problems and develop and use appropriate models for analysis and prediction of a variety of ecologically inspired problems.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of college algebra.

Notes: Prior to class starting, all registered students will receive an online algebra review; a test covering the provided review material will be administered to students (online) during the first few days of class. The first three weeks will be online and will focus on mathematical content. The class will meet face-to-face at the MSC campus May 29th – June 8th.

Faculty Contact: Dr. Galluzzo, Shippensburg University

Example Only! This is last year's syllabus.